Monday, December 27, 2010

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

December 23 I received a phone call
from my Father-in-law:
"Is Kelly home?"  (Kelly is my husband)
"No...I can't get ahold of him either."
"Well, ok....when you get ahold of him
tell him my house burned down."
"WHAT!!!???!"
Then we talked for about 10 minutes while firemen scambled around him & as he watched his home burn to the ground the day before Christmas Eve.

Picture From Local Paper

When it was through there
was nothing left, nothing.

Later that night our families met together at church for a Christmas service & I held my Mother-In -Law as she sobbed quietly, "My home is gone."  She has been through so much, as last year I vividly remember holding her sobbing, "My baby is gone."  when she lost a son.  I can't imagine the pain in her heart.

Then just a few minutes later we went into church & with only my husband & Bo between us we all sang praises to God.  We worshiped together even as the smell of smoke off the only clothes they owned filled the air and stung me so strongly 3 seats away.  Even the candles we lit as we sang Silent Night were a reminder of the day.

It was a tough night. But in the midst of devestation they turned their attention to the real meaning of Chirstmas. They turned their eyes on Jesus.

So my dear Friends it has been a
busy time but I promise I will visit
you all very soon!

36 comments:

the old white house said...

Oh Libbie ~ I am so sorry to hear of their losses,what a hard year for them and the family. Thank God they were not harmed, I just know with the love of your family they will get through this. The faith they show is such an inspiration. Theresa xoxo

-stephanie- said...

What a heartbreaking photo. I'm so sorry this happened. What incredible faith and strength they have. God bless them.

red.neck chic said...

Oh my goodness - my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

xoxo
robelyn

Two Shades of Pink said...

Libbie, this is is just so devestating. I am so sorry yet I amnot sorry that their faith is a living testimony. I am praying for their hearts and for all of you tobe united in Christ. Love you dear friend.

Anonymous said...

Oh I am so sorry, Heartbroken for them.

Debra@CommonGround said...

Libbie dear, I'm so sorry for the devestation of this fire. I can't imagine how hard it must be. Your post is so grounding in God's truth. Keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Your family will be in my prayers.
love,
Debra

michelle said...

Oh Libbie I am so very sorry!! How devastating. I pray that God gives you all the strength and love that you need during this time and I thank God that no one was hurt. I am so glad that they were able to see Him and worship Him during this time of loss, their faith is what will bring them through.

Blessing and prayers your way.

Catherine said...

I am so sorry ~ warm thoughts for you and your family.
xo Catherine

Victoria said...

We'll be praying for you guys. I'm so sorry this is happening. My heart goes out to your in-laws.

The French Bear said...

Libbie, this is so terrible, what sad thing to happen! What can I do to help? You let me know!
Hugs,
Margaret B

marie said...

Oh Libbie, I'm so sorry. But at the same time so blessed by the "picture" of your in-laws praising the Lord in the midst of all this. You are all in my prayers!

Shelley said...

Libbie, that's devastating. I am so sorry to hear that. I can't imagine how they must be feeling. So sorry.

Jae said...

I got chills when I read this post. Bless those wonderful people. How wonderful that they still were able to attend church and sing HIS praises.
Reminds me about the day after my Mom died. She died one day before Easter. No one at church expected to see our family in attendance in the midst of our grief, but we attended Easter Service and I felt so much love and peace that morning, it was truly incredible.
Please let us know if we can do anything for them.
Anything.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Dear Libbie, I am so saddened to hear of this tragedy but Thank God they are safe. I know that with the love of your wonderful family and faith, they will find find peace during this difficult time. Blessings to you and yours, Tammy

Bunnym said...

Oh Libbie...this is heart wrenching. I'm sending a pray....thank God for family!!

bunny

sjmcdowell said...

Dear Libbie,

A home can be rebuilt but a life can not be brought back. Thank the Lord they were not hurt.
God Bless you and your family during this time and I would love to help too..if there is anything at all within my power I will!!
E-mail me at sjmcdowell@yahoo.com.

Gods Healing Love to you all,

Susan

Classic NYer said...

Ouch... wafting well-wishes and restoration spirits in their direction... and also in yours.

Anonymous said...

Gee, this is a devastating loss, but, unfortunatley your family is not the first to lose their home in a fire, since I have been cruising blog world today. I was on some elses blog today and their home also burned to the ground... I am so sorry for both of the losses of these homes....and yet grateful no lives were lost..yet that is so easy to say.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Libbie,

This reminds me of my husband's WWII story. His parents and his two older brothers and he had to evacuate from the area where they lived. You all know the movie 'A Bridge Too Far' and that was their area... They left in September, with little to carry with them on the horse wagon. When they got liberated in April they returned to see what was left from their home. NOTHING! His Dad and the two sons (one was staying at an other farmer's home) slept in an old carpet, that's all they found. In the morning Dad put his arms around them and said: 'We are the richest people on earth - we are ALL there'. They had another family staying with them before and two of their sons got executed by half drunk SS soldiers...
Low and behold, they gathered the glass from the greenhouses for weeks on end and started from scratch again!
FAITH is the enabler for doing this.
May it also help your parents-in-law for having the strength to start all over.
May God bless you all!

Mariette's Back to Basics

Angela said...

((((hugs))) I will be praying..This post brought tears to my eyes..tears of sorrow,,but also tears of joy..

But in the midst of devastation they turned their attention to the real meaning of Christmas. They turned their eyes on Jesus.

La Burbuja Rosa said...

oh my dear friend what terrible news!I pray for you,I feel so sad...

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry...That is so sad. I will be praying for comfort for them during this tough time. Happy New Year!

Can do mom said...

Oh My Goodness! The children and I were driving yesterday and this was reported on the news on the radio. My middle daughter yelled, "Hey! That's on the Middlest Sister's blog!" I've been kind of busy and hadn't read any blogs lately so I was out of the loop.

I'm so sorry for their loss. :( I'm terribly sorry about the loss of your brother-in-law too. :(

Blessings to you and your family and your parents-in-law too. I will be praying.

Anne Lorys said...

Oh no!!!
My heart goes out to your father-in-law and your family. How heartbreaking.

Prayers for all involved, my friend.

Love,
Anne

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry, but so glad they are ok. I pray that God will use this in mighty ways. It is so crazy that this happens so much around Christmas. A child involved in our outreach ministry had the same thing happen 3 days before Christmas, but his whole family woke up and made it out of the house in the middle of the night. I don't understand the way God works, but I know that He does.

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Libbie honey I am heartbroken to read about your in-laws home. What a heartbreaking story but that you all were in church just afterwards speaks a millions words of your family.
How hard this has to be for all of you..I can not even imagine loosing your home and a son.
Let me know what I can do to help.
I of course will add them to my prayers.
Honey I have been wanting to talk to you ever since I received your beautiful card. Oh how it made my day. I am just so proud of it and of course it has to be framed and put right up there with my other family pictures.
I love you Libbie and pray God can help you all get through this horrible ordeal.
Love ya
Maggie

Grace on the Narrow Path said...

Praying for your family. Please let know if I can help.
Blessings,
Bren

koralee said...

Oh my sweet friend...I will be sending you prayers of love and blessing to help you get through this terrible time...my heart aches for you all. xooxoxox

Cassie said...

What unbelieveable challenges, and what strong people because of them, I am sure. Blessings and prayers to your family. Hugs

Rosie said...

Oh my darling, I am SO sorry. Your sweet parents have gone through so much...and amidst the tears and suffering they still send praises to their Father, knowing just how very much He loves them.
I can feel your mom's pain...and am praying that He will shower His many blessing down on upon those He holds dear. May this be a perfect witness to all those around, when they see the courage your parents display and KNOW that it comes through HIM who loves them.
The next time you rap your arms around your dear mother, please whisper in her ear that she has many sisters praying for her...then give her a hug, and tell her it was from me...and this one is for you my dear, dear friend.
........love Rosie.........

Laurel said...

Hi - I just found you via my darling Karyn. I was attracted to your cute button as I have three daughters. I am so sorry about fire . A year ago July my parents home burned down. Hard to take at a time when you should be enjoying the fruits of your hard work. I am happy to say they are back now in their rebuilt home, where we just had a lovely Christmas .
it gets better. laurel

Liz Mays said...

How utterly devastating and so terribly sad. I'm in awe of your faith in the middle of such hardship. Hugs for you and your inlaws!

Little Penpen said...

oh wow, I am so so so sorry. ((prayers)) for them!

Marla said...

Oh Libbie, I am teary just thinking of the pain of it all but also for the faith through it all. Praying for you all and thanking our Father for their safety and what He has ahead for them.

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

I am so so sorry. I heard through Penpen about the loss! My prayers are sent out to you all! What a testimony of faith!

Lisa said...

I am so sorry to hear of this devastation.. What an amazing testimony!! how amazing Thinking of your family.. thinking of your mum and dad-in-law with the pain they must be feeling in their hearts...